Mid Sussex Friends of the Earth are hosting a Mid Sussex General Election Hustings 2015 on Tuesday, 21st April to give the public a chance to meet and ask their Prospective Parliamentary Candidates what their vision is for Mid Sussex and the nation. All candidates were invited and I am happy to say that all seven have confirmed their attendance at the Hustings.Doors open to the public at 7.45pm at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath.Please do try and come along, even if you can only attend part of the meeting and do pass this onto as many people as possible.Please note that you will need to book a ticket on Eventbrite to this FREE event for health and safety reasons, details of which are at the end of this email.

NEXT EVENT, 10th April public meeting, Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre. Hall hired from 6pm to 10pm. Confirmed speaker, Tony Whitbread Sussex Wildlife Trust. Time to plan!!http://billingshurstcentre.com/

"Know your rights" & "Effective Campaigning" training coming up at the end of March. Delivered by Seeds of Change with Frack Off. Yippee.

"Know your rights" Saturday 28th March, 10.30 - 5 @ Friends Meeting House.Please arrive from 10am for prompt start. - “Any community campaign may be met with a response which requires a group to robustly defend the community’s rights. The ‘Know Your Rights’ workshop provides the knowledge and skills to deal with the police, know what to do if you or someone else gets arrested and understand common protest offenses, as well as civil actions which target protest, such as injunctions & possession orders. Regardless of the range of experience within your group, this workshop will help to increase confidence when interacting with the legal system.”

"Effective Campaigning" Sunday 29th March, 10 - 5 @ Conference Room, Community Base. Building an effective community campaign can be challenging and requires a group to bring together many elements with careful planning. The ‘Effective Campaigning’ workshop provides the skills to plan a campaign (devising a strategy and selecting tactics), construct campaign messaging and put in place the basic tools a group requires to sustain an effective campaign. Whether your campaign is just beginning or has been under-way for sometime, this workshop can help support your group to campaign more effectively.

To book a place on either/both please email brightonfrackingtraining@mail.com.

The climate crisis is the defining issue of our times and will take centre-stage in world politics in 2015. Our economic system puts profits before people and is destroying the natural systems that keep us alive. It has brought us to the precipice of catastrophic climate change. Because the real solutions empower people and threaten corporate profits, real change can only come from outside that system. So we need a movement with the foresight to put the planet at the heart of its politics, and a climate campaign with the courage to get political.

On 28th March, three weeks after the national climate demonstration, we will be hosting a radical, participatory event called This Changes Everything. Inspired by Naomi Klein’s new book, the day will bring hundreds of people together in interactive workshops with leading campaigners and climate scientists to discuss:

CRISIS - climate change. The war on terror. Environmental melt down. The global recession. How are these crises linked? Has capitalism declared war on both people and planet?MOVEMENT - with our very survival under threat, inequality soaring and austerity failing, why aren’t governments taking action? Is it up to us to save the world?VISION - there are so many alternatives out there. What kind of system could best ensure equality, dignity and democratic freedoms for all within the planet’s natural limits? How do we win the freedom to find out?

This Changes Everything, initiated by an independent and growing network of young activists and campaign groups, aims to support the global movement against climate change by building bridges with social justice movements and the science that supports them. We want to raise awareness and participation, launching a wave of protest and direct action in the run up to December’s UN climate summit in Paris - and beyond.

We want to create an organisation that is sustainable, dynamic and truly democratic. One built on compassion, hope and humanity, with policies based on hard evidence.

We want justice for people and planet, and know that these ideals will be won together, or not at all.

The climate crisis is not only the greatest threat humanity has ever faced; it is also a historic opportunity. To quote Naomi:

“far from trumping other issues, climate change vindicates much of what the left has been demanding for decades. In fact, climate change turbo-charges our existing demands and gives them a basis in hard science. It calls on us to be bold, to get ambitious, to win this time because we really cannot afford any more losses. It enflames our vision of a better world with existential urgency.”

Fossil fuels are 'dirty' because they cause pollution and threaten our safe climate future. 'Clean' energies like solar and wind can replace fossil fuels. But is it a David versus Goliath struggle? Come along and find out if the clean energy revolution sweeping the world will win out and save us all in the nick of time. Event is free. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.

The Government is currently trying to rush the Infrastructure Bill through the House of Commons. It's already been passed through the House of Lords, but recently tabled amendments could stop it in its tracks.

If passed unchallenged, it could irrevocably pave the way for Fracking in the UK, by removing our land rights to oppose it.It literally could be the 'make or break' of Fracking in the UK!

** Please JOIN US on Wed 14th Jan to tell our MP's that we are opposed to this OUTRAGEOUS Bill as it stands (#BinTheBill), to support the amendments, and how we want them to ultimately vote on it **

>> Meeting point : 11am - Main Central Lobby, House of Commons. Aim to arrive at 10:15am, as it may take about 45 mins to get through security <<

Please email us at BinTheBill@gmail.com to let us know how many of you are coming.

If you can't make it to London, please write to your MP anyway, and let them know that you are opposed to the Bill as it stands, and that you would like to support the amendments that are being tabled.

Those silly silly frackers are at it again, DieGas, whoops sorry, IGas have started drilling their third well in the UK at Ellesmere Port and we need to tell them loud and clear that it’s just NOT ON. Not on our watch! Luckily the locals and protectors there are showcasing their united front by having a SOLIDARITY SUNDAY at the site and offering tea and cake. Yippee.

We all know how important it is to show our support, not only for protectors on site, but for the whole anti-fracking movement. Seeing the support Balcombe received from all around the country for its Solidarity Sunday, the events in Barton Moss and the Solidarity march in Blackpool earlier this year, it not only unifies us as a movement but sends a strong message to the locals, the rest of the country, the government, the media and those dirty dirty frackers.

So on the bus we go and head up to have a cup of tea, piece of cake, share stories and rejoice in how united we stand.

We are going to have a bit of social on the bus too, as it’s a long trip but well worth it, so please bring some snacks to share, some ideas of games to play and some card and paint to produce a little art installation upon arrival. Think of it as our Christmas party :)

Also massive respect to all the protector camps that have taken place and are still taking place around the UK and Ireland… Balcombe, Barton Moss, Lancashire Nannas, Davyhulme, Crawberry Hill, Upton, West Newton, Borras and Holt, Horse Hill, Dudleston, Belcoo and all those international protectors camps around this amazing planet.

We are aiming to organise funding to subsidise the coach. One from Brighton and one from London.

So please put one day aside before Christmas and gather together for the locals and protectors to show some festive cheer.

Oh and another reason to celebrate is DieGas share-price has dropped like a stone. Its 52 week high was 164.50p and as of 1/12 it’s 49.25p. YAY! Now let’s all take the credit for that shall we?

Join us at County Hall, Lewes, for a rally against fracking anywhere in East Sussex. Let's send a message loud and clear to East Sussex County Council that fracking is unsafe, unnecessary, and unwanted anywhere in our beautiful county!

There'll be a march from Lewes train station, starting at 09.00am, going up the high street to County Hall, arriving outside County Hall at about 09.30am for a rally and photoshoot, and a delegation will enter County Hall just before 10.00am to listen to a speech we'll be delivering in support of a petition against fracking that East Sussex County Council received a few months ago."

Come join us as we unite with anti-fracking activists around the world for the Global Frackdown. We are coordinating a joint event with New York campaigners to show transatlantic solidarity. Together we will stand as one voice to demand an end to fracking and other unconventional fossil fuels. We need a sustainable energy future. There is an alternative!

Please spread the word and invite all of your friends. The location and details of the demonstration will be released as we get closer to the event. So be sure to RSVP, visit our website (frackofflondon.org.uk) and/or follow us on Twitter (FrackOffLondon) to get the latest details.

Horse Hill Developments are drilling for oil at the site in Surrey and also wanting to explore for shale gas with their partner, oil company Magellan. They have intentions for future production wells that would require fracking in the area.

Come and let them know that we don’t want this and help raise the local profile of what’s happening. Picnic, fun and games. Bring banners, bunting, cake...

A day of facilitated discussions open to people living in the South East, who care about fracking and climate change AND WANT TO ORGANISE TO DO SOMETHING.

Hosted by a group of people from Sussex who came together and were inspired at Reclaim the Power in Blackpool.

They wish to empower people from Hampshire, Sussex Surrey and Kent to actively and effectively organise in response to climate change through outreach, education, sustainable living, direct action and social justice.

To this end, the aims of the day, are as follows, in no particular order:

# Build on the work of Reclaim the Power and identify how it may be helpful to anti-frackers in the South East.

# Facilitate the networking of existing local groups in the south east and encourage horizontal organising against the fracking industry

# Encourage resistance against the causes of climate change including airport expansion and biofuels as well as fracking

# Establish what training people feel they could benefit from eg direct action training, legal training, public speaking, site maintenance etc.

# Debrief from RTP and develop proposals for the next RTP meeting in Birmingham.

# Identify useful upcoming events for groups to organise around.

Tea and networking from 11.00am for a prompt start of formal chats at 11.30am.

Lunch, a vegan picnic for donations, is served at 1.00pm.

The Cowley Club, situated in Brighton has excellent public transport links. There are carparks nearby for those travelling by car.

Please email Rtpsouth@riseup.net to tells us you are coming if you can.

We'd be grateful if you can make sure your local antifracking groups know this is happening, so invite and post as much as you can please, Invite by phone, face to face and via your regular meetings.

Solesco is hosting a free conference "Powering Our Communities" on Tuesday 23rd September at the Assembly Rooms, Chichester, starting at 11 a.m.

The event will prove information for community groups, parishes, local authorities, individuals and businesses on developing a low carbon, energy efficient community, learning from communities who are already active in doing just that, under the umbrella of Community Energy South.

Topics: Community Energy – developing local power networks; Tackling Fuel poverty; Schools and energy champions; District heating; Scaling up and making local green jobs;

Training in community energy and energy efficiency; Large-scale solar and community involvement; Community energy and development; Our own regional energy tariffs; Your

On September 21st, the eve of a historic summit on climate change, people across the world will take to the streets in their hundreds and thousands to inspire the world’s most powerful leaders to take ambitious action on the climate crisis.

With our future on the line and the world watching, we have the opportunity to meet this moment with unprecedented mobilisations in cities across the globe.

Together, we’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet. A world safe from the ravages of climate change. A world with good jobs, clean air, and healthy communities for everyone.

There is only one ingredient required: to change everything, we need everyone. Join us. - Sept 21st, 12.30pm Temple Place.-----------------------------------------------------------------------In the meantime we are really keen for groups, organisations and individuals to get involved, organise actions to coincide and help facilitate a fantastic event. We are particularly interested in making the march as accessible and inclusive as possible and welcome all support. Please let us know if you wish to organise an action or wish to contribute with any aspect of organisation and planning. Make this space your own!

Take on the frackers! The action camp will be at a fracking site and to keep the industry in suspense, the exact location and travel information will be revealed near the time. ;) Hunt this event page for clues as they are revealed...https://www.facebook.com/events/797433466936029/

*Support the community fightback*Get skilled up and take direct action*Build the world you want to see

August 14th-20th

What?- This year the target is fracking – a form of ‘extreme energy’ that threatens our human rights to a safe climate, clean water and a healthy local environment.- New fracking sites are being opened across the country every month. Up to 60% of England is under threat- Reclaim the Power will support a community on the frontline fighting fracking and join the dots between climate, social and economic justice- Alternatives exist here and now – we could create a million climate jobs, reduce energy demand and convert to community and publicly owned renewables

Why?- We need to reclaim OUR power. The government wants to drill under our homes, keep us hooked on fossil fuels and keep our energy in private, profiteering hands.- Meanwhile, climate change is getting worse, fuel poverty is killing people and economic and social crises are hitting us harder every day- We can stop this. We can stop fracking and build a democratic and clean energy system that works for us. The UK has a long history of civil disobedience, from the suffragettes to the disability rights movements.

We're having a party! We're *building the BUZZ * for the amazing Reclaim the Power anti fracking ACTION CAMP from 14 - 20 August in Blackpool. We can stop fracking in the UK! Reclaim the Power is a movement for environmental, social and economic justice.

We'll have fantastic LIVE BANDS, spoken word poets and a short film of the No Dash for Gas/ Reclaim the Power story at The Russet Hackney Downs- which is a cool, creative space. Save the date and tell your friends! Tickets are sold on the door and will be £5 waged, by donation for unwaged.

West Sussex County Council Planning Committee will decide on the planning application for an exploratory well by Celtique Energie. We hope you will join us for a peaceful gathering to show our support for the residents of Kirdford and Wisborough Green.

What's behind Fracking? Why is it a unique and unexpected opportunity all over the country?

A crash course in alternative activism, an inside look at the British legal system, tips and tricks to launch and grow your own anti fracking group, a step by step guide to producing a belt it out @ celebration day, and much more.

The evening, as well as being a practical education, promies to be masses of fun, heartwarmingly authentic, infectiously interactive and wildly entertaining.

Frack Free Sussex

Government plans to allow fracking for gas and oil across the Sussex Weald. To be economically viable this would require thousands of wells to be drilled across our county. Our downland, meadowland, farmland and woodland would be subject to wide-scale industrialisation.

In the USA, towns near fracking sites have seen cancer rates rising, water supplies running out and the poisoning of land, livestock, pets and people by hazardous air pollutants. Water that was once pristine is now so contaminated with methane that it can be set alight. Industry studies show 5-7% of all new oil and gas wells leak and ALL wells will leak eventually.

Our water supply, which comes predominantly from the chalk aquifer, would be threatened.

Property values are falling in areas near drilling sites.

Even the energy secretary says fracking WON’T REDUCE ENERGY BILLS.

donations welcome

Frack Free SussexSort code: 08-92-99Account: 65733697

The campaign to keep Sussex a healthy and happy place for all of us to live is reliant on all of us! We are not a political organisation and nobody involved gets paid - we do it because we care. Here are the sort of awareness raising activities that your donation could help to pay for:

Posters, information leaflets, flyering

Organising screenings of films such as The Bentley Effect and PowerTrip

Organising public meetings and talks with knowledgeable guest speakers (get in touch)

Web hosting for this website

Getting the Frack Free Sussex information stand to festivals and community events

Advertising to local press

YOU CAN ALSO DONATE YOUR time and ENERGY!

The campaign to prevent fracking and any forms of unconventional drilling ruining our county is made up of an ever growing number of people LIKE YOU! We are fighting against multi-national corporations with millions of pounds to spend on PR so we need you, whatever your skills and expertise.